Sharads Sunday Sojourns (wk#114): SOCCER WORLD CUP : MAGIC, MANIA AND MELANCHOLIA Scene 1: 1986. The Quarter Finals: England vs Argentina When Diego Armando Maradona stopped the ball a little far from the centre line a little while later than his preceding and (in)famous ‘Hand of God’ attempt, little did everybody across the globe and on the field apprehend what was going to take place. And in the next few minutes, the World saw arguably the greatest goal of all times. With a precious proficiency and heavenly dexterity, Maradona defeated probably the half of the English side and slammed the ball with his trademark left foot hook into the English net, amplifying the individual brilliance of superlative ball control and incomparable dribbling skills. Argentina won the World Cup and it was the year of ‘Maradona Magic’! Scene 2: 2004. In all matches (league + knockout) involving Brazil As Romario’s wife was expecting just at the time of the World Cup, every time a Brazilian player found the opponent’ s net, a unique celebration followed with a gathering of several players gesturing the swinging of a virtual and static baby perambulator. Though atypical, it became a raze and as Brazil won the cup, it was the year’s ‘Cup Mania’! Scene 3: 1994. The Grand Finale: Brazil vs Italy As Roberto Baggio took stance for a crucial penalty kick in the tie-breakers, millions of Italians across the Globe hold breath. He took his time, charged in, took a calculated shot, and alas, he missed the top bar! As Brazil took a step closer to the trophy (and eventually won it), Italy plunged into a ‘moronic melancholy’. Any football World Cup has produced surreal moments and subtle incidents of immense immaturity, gratitude, hopelessness, vividness, desperation and celebration that are forever etched in the fans’ minds, with fever pitch and euphoria, or with denouncement and sadness. Zinedine Zidane’s ‘head-kick’ to Materazzi (2006), tears yelling down Maradona’s eyes after they lost to West Germany (1990), Spain’s ‘Tiki-taka’ (2010), Pele’s swashbuckling performance (1970), South Korea’s extraordinary rise (2002), the inimitable Mexican waves with affection for their country, England’s year of dream (1966) and Ronaldinho’s free-kick from outside the centre-line (2002)...all these trademark episodes not only justify the fantasy of the players or a country, rather have accomplished pinnacles, embedded in the sands of time. Anything related with World Cup soccer is a chartbuster. A vivacious Ricky Martin, a dynamic Shakira, a bouncy Pitbull, or an ever-cherished Jennifer Lopez, the official theme songs have achieved immense popularity. Whether the luscious fans of Brazil engrossed in a Samba dance, or the loud and trained European football lovers, the stadiums would be dull without their sparkling presence. As the current host faces a threat from the public regarding the ‘misuse’ of public money, I think you simply can’t get out of this fever. The 2014 mania has begun with its fair share of unexpected outcomes. Whether Spain will defend the trophy is debatable, but dogmatically speaking, the greatest winner will be the game. An unending saga for the next month, let’s all get engrossed into the carnival. Who knows what may happen after four years? On a lateral deliberation, when will India appear in a Soccer World Cup? Will it happen in our lifetime?
Posted on: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 01:09:38 +0000
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